In every group there are unsung heroes. These are the people in the background that do the hard work, ensuring everything gets accomplished. On a staff, there are the staff primaries (S1/2/3/4/5/6), then there are the assistant staff primaries, and sometimes even the assistant to the assistant staff primaries. The assistant staff officer is the person, behind the person, and in some cases…behind that person, who does the hard work. If you find yourself in one of these positions, remember that this a crucial job, both for the staff, and for your own development.

As the Assistant Staff Officer (we will call this the ASO), you are a vital member of the team. People often downplay the role, or see that this is a “check the block” job, but it is a critical time. Commanders often put people in ASO positions before their primary development job (i.e. the 2nd Lt. on battalion staff before they get a platoon, or a major on the division staff before going down to a battalion (BN)). It isn’t uncommon to see a BN S3 shops filled with lieutenants and captains waiting go to command. This isn’t a time to “get through.” This is a time that you should be learning, developing, and preparing for your next job. Keep these things in mind:

1. Stay positive and understand your impact, first impression, and attitude. It may feel like you are not making a difference, but you are. Don’t think that you are forgotten in the headquarters. No matter how small the job, people notice hard work and talent. This is your first impression at a unit, and people are evaluating you whether you realize it or not.

Tip: Don’t sour your entire experience at a unit because you were upset about being the
Assistant to the Assistant S4.

2. Embrace this time; as the ASO you actually own projects. As you continue in your career, you will supervise more and more, and the projects you get to create, build, and develop from scratch, will actually be less and less. As the ASO, you get to know every detail of your project. Your staff primary isn’t the subject matter expert – you are. This remains true for ASO-type jobs at each echelon of the staff. Whether you are a 2nd Lt. organizing a battalion ball or a major in the Pentagon, these times are special.

Tip: Find the project that will allow you to highlight your strengths. This is a chance to show
your value to the team. Be the officer that tackles the battalion ball, FRG event, or live fire.

3. Learn the mechanics of the unit. Over the course of your career, you will not always get a chance to slowly learn an organization. Sometimes you get thrown into the fire. Every unit operates a little bit differently, so take the time to learn staff procedures and norms. Look for ways to improve staff processes or understand why these work a certain way. When you are down at a unit, this will help you understand the why and how behind staff operations.

Tip: Review your units Standard Operating Procedures. If the unit does not have any, this is a
chance to create some. If you have seen a better way at other unit, tactfully introduce these
into your organization.

4. Study your boss. It may seem odd, but in a BN/BDE Staff, you have more access to the BN/BDE Commander than you will have when you are leading troops. Take the time to learn what’s important to your boss. You should get an initial counseling from the commander when you arrive. If not, ask for time on their calendar. Also make sure you see the command sergeant major. Understanding the role of the enlisted leadership will help you when you get down to a unit and meet your first sergeant/ platoon sergeant for the first time.

Tip: Do this sooner rather than later. Leaders will appreciate that you asked for the time
time, and it shows initiative.

5. Outline what you want out of the position and what you want to accomplish. Ask your self, “What can I do to make the unit better while I am the ASO? What can I do to help my boss? If I am in this position for an entire year, what would I be able to accomplish?” It may seem like you have little impact, but you can accomplish a lot during this time with the right attitude. No job in the Army is “check the block.”

Tip: Use your OER Support Form to set goals for yourself while you are in the position. This
is what the form is designed for, and it will give you a goal framework.

6. Seek development from other members on the staff. Find someone on the staff that you relate to and respect, and ask them for advice and mentorship. Especially when you are in a new unit or new to a position, it is always helpful to find someone who recently finished the position you are getting ready to go into. Pick their brain and take notes. This will pay dividends when you get down to a unit.

Tip: The BN S3 shop is a great place for this, as there are usually junior captains waiting to go
into command. Start a journal recording positive and negative leadership traits you observe
on the staff and in commanders. Specifically look at how leaders build teams on the staff.

7. Think deep. Regardless of the position, you should always try to solve your boss’s problems. Often times the principal is tied up in the day-to-day actions of the staff and loses the ability to prepare for events in the future. This is an opportunity for you to help the staff get ahead of big events. Who knows, you might even get the opportunity to plan an event as a staff officer and the execute the event with your company or platoon.

Tip: Take a look at events on the Long Range Planning Calendar. See what you can start
planning for now. Planning for field exercises or leader briefs far in advance saves time and
effort for your staff primary.

8. Build a network. When you arrive at the staff, try to introduce yourself to as many people as possible. You should spend time getting to know everyone on staff and down at the companies. Talk to the other assistant staff officers and build a network. Once you have done this with the staff, go down to the companies and get to know the first sergeants, XOs, and other lieutenants and captains. Knowing others across the battalion will benefit you and your unit when you are down at the company level.

Tip: Print out an org chart of the battalion and try to meet everyone on the chart. Especially
spend time getting to know the NCOs in a unit. Eat in your unit dining facility (DFAC) to get to know
others in the unit.

9. Prepare for your next job. When you have time available, do whatever you can to prepare for your next job (without taking away from your current job). Stay in shape while on the staff, and if possible, participate in some events with the unit you are going down to lead.

Tip: Try doing everything you can do in advance to going down to a unit: visit Range Control,
range certification class, get your Expert Infantry Badge, etc.

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The most essential element to success in these positions is attitude. Be the leader that excels as the ASO. Being a good officer means doing your best, whether you are the Assistant to the Assistant S3, or the Commander.